Adjustable pedal assembly (banana rod)

ABSTRACT

Four embodiments of an adjustable pedal assembly are disclosed wherein a pedal lever is adjustable along a rod. Each assembly is characterized by the rod ( 116, 216, 316  and  416 ) being arcuate or curved, e.g., in an arc, between its connection to a support ( 112, 212, 312  and  412 ) and its distal end for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever ( 118, 218, 318  and  418 ) relative to the support ( 112, 212, 312  and  412 ) during the adjustment of the pedal lever ( 118, 218, 318  and  418 ) along the rod ( 116, 216, 316  and  416 ). Consequently, the angle of the pedal pad ( 120, 220, 320  and  420 ) is changed to accommodate different operators.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional applicationSerial No. 60/159,663 filed Oct. 15, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The subject invention relates to an adjustable pedal assembly foradjusting the operational position of the pedal to accommodate differentoperators.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The adjustable pedal assemblies adjust the operational positionof the pedal lever, and, consequently, the operational position of thepad at the lower end of the pedal lever, by a linkage system for movingthe pedal lever in an arc or a rod supporting the pedal lever forrectilinear movement along the rod. The subject invention is animprovement for the rod-supported pedal lever. A support mounts theassembly to a vehicle and a rod extends from the support to a distalend. A pedal lever having a longitudinal axis extending between an upperend and a lower end is included for operational movement from anoperational position in response to a force from a vehicle operator. Amechanism supports the pedal lever on the rod for the operationalmovement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment ofthe operational position of the pedal lever along the rod. Examples ofprior art assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,010,782 and5,086,663 to Asano et al and 5,632,183 to Rixon et al.

[0006] As the operational position of the pedal lever is adjusted bymoving the mechanism along the rod, the angle of the pad at the lowerend of the pedal lever remains constant. However, it is desirable tochange the angle of presentation of the pedal pad to accommodatedifferent angles of approach of the various different operators' footduring application of a force to move the pedal lever; that is, withoutadjusting the position of the pad relative to the pedal lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0007] The subject invention includes an adjustable pedal assemblycomprising a support for mounting the assembly to a vehicle and a rodextending from the support to a distal end. A pedal lever having alongitudinal axis extending between an upper end and a lower end isincluded for operational movement from an operational position inresponse to a force from a vehicle operator. A mechanism supports thepedal lever on the rod for the operational movement in response to theforce from an operator and for adjustment of the operational position ofthe pedal lever along the rod. The assembly is characterized by the rodbeing arcuate for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis of thepedal lever relative to the support structure during the adjustment ofthe pedal lever along the rod.

[0008] Accordingly, the subject invention provides an adjustable pedalassembly of the type wherein the operational position of the pedal leveris adjusted along a rod and the angle of presentation of the pedal padis changed to accommodate different angles of approach of the variousdifferent operators' foot during application of a force to move thepedal lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of theinvention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of theinvention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of theinvention; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals differing by onehundred indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, an adjustable pedal assembly incorporating the subject inventionis generally shown respectively at 110, 210, 310 and 410.

[0015] Each assembly includes a support 112, 212, 312 and 412 formounting the assembly to a vehicle, such as to the firewall 114, 214 and414.

[0016] A rod 116, 216, 316 and 416 extends from the support 112, 212,312 and 412 to a distal end.

[0017] A pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 having a longitudinal axisextends between an upper end and a lower end for operational movementfrom an operational position in response to a force from a vehicleoperator. A pedal pad 120, 220, 320 and 420 is fixed to the pedal lever118, 218, 318 and 418 so that the angel of presentation remains constantrelative to the axis of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418.

[0018] A mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 supports the pedal lever 118,218, 318 and 418 on the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416 for the operationalmovement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment ofthe operational position of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 alongthe rod 116, 216, 316 and 416.

[0019] The assembly is characterized by the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416being arcuate or curved, e.g., in an arc, between its connection to thesupport 112, 212, 312 and 412 and the distal end for changing the angleof the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418relative to the support 112, 212, 312 and 412 during the adjustment ofthe pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 along the rod 116, 216, 316 and416, as illustrated by the phantom positions in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0020] The mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 includes a drive system foradjusting the operational position of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and418 along the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416.

[0021] More specifically, in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, thedrive system includes a threaded screw 124, 224 and 424 and a threadednut 126, 226 and 426 threadedly engaging the screw 124, 224 and 424. Apower unit 128, 228 and 428 rotates the screw 124, 224 and 424 to movethe nut 126, 226 and 426, and the nut 126, 226 and 426 is connected tothe pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 for moving the pedal lever 118, 218 and418 along the rod 116, 216 and 416 in response to rotation of the screw124, 224 and 424 . A rotational connection defined by a pin 130, 230 and430 connects the nut 126, 226 and 426 to the pedal lever 118, 218 and418 for accommodating the changing angle of the longitudinal axis of thepedal lever 118, 218 and 418 relative to the screw 124, 224 and 424during the adjustment of the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 along the rod116, 216 and 416. The screw 124, 224 and 424 is straight and a lostmotion connection comprising an elongated slot 131, 231 and 431 isdisposed between the nut 126, 226 and 426 and the pedal lever 118, 218and 418 for accommodating the change in distance between the screw 124,224 and 424 and the rod 116, 216 and 416 as the nut 126, 226 and 426moves along the screw 124, 224 and 424. The slot 131, 231 and 431 is inthe mechanism 122, 222 and 422 and surrounds the pin connection 130, 230and 430 to the nut 126, 226 and 426. The power unit 128, 328 and 428includes a gear box which is rotated by a rotary cable or electric motorto rotate the screw 124, 224 and 424. The rotational connection 130, 230and 430 comprises a pin which supports the nut 126, 226 and 426 forrotation relative to the mechanism 122, 222 and 422 as it moves alongthe curved rod 116, 216 and 416.

[0022] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rod 116 is a plate having acentral slot with the screw 124 disposed in the slot and the nut 126disposed in the slot. The mechanism 122 includes a bracket having spacedflanges with the rod 116 extending through holes or slots in thebracket. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4, the screw 224 and 424 isdisposed in spaced relationship to the rod 216 and 416 with an extensionof the mechanism 222 and 422 supporting the 230 and 430 which supportsthe nut 226 and 426.

[0023] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the drive system includes at leastone gear 324 in meshing engagement with the rod 316 and a power unit 328for rotating the gear 324 for moving the pedal lever 318 along the rod316 in response to rotation of the gear 324. The power unit 328 isdriven by a rotary cable to rotate a gear box which, in turn, rotatesthe gear 324. The rod 316 comprises a plate with top and bottom edgesand rack teeth 326 disposed along the bottom edge and in the meshingengagement with the gear 324. The mechanism 322 includes a plurality ofidler shafts 323 which support idler gears 325 engaging teeth 327 alongthe top edge of the plate comprising the rod 316. Additional guide pins330 extend through a central slot in the rod 316 for guiding themechanism along the rod 316.

[0024] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a pivotal connection 132,232 and 332 pivotally connects the support 112, 212 and 312 to a vehicle114, 214 and 314 so that the rod 116, 216 and 316 pivots about thepivotal connection 132, 232 and 332 during the operational movement inresponse to the force from an operator. To this end, a connector 134,234 and 334 is provided on the support 112, 212 and 312 for connectionto a control element to transmit forces to a brake, throttle linkage, orthe like. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a pivotal connection 432pivotally connects the pedal lever 418 to the mechanism 422 so that thepedal lever 418 pivots relative to the rod 416 about the pivotalconnection 432 during the operational movement in response to the forcefrom an operator. The support 412 is fixedly attached to the vehiclestructure 414. A signal generating device 434 is included for generatingan electronic signal in response to the pedal lever 418 pivotingrelative to the mechanism 422.

[0025] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

[0026] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appendedclaims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and arenot to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising; asupport (112, 212, 312 and 412) for mounting said assembly to a vehicle;a rod (116, 216, 316 and 416) extending from said support (112, 212, 312and 412) to a distal end, a pedal lever (118, 218, 318 and 418) having alongitudinal axis extending between an upper end and a lower end foroperational movement from an operational position in response to a forcefrom a vehicle operator, a mechanism (122, 222, 322 and 422) forsupporting said pedal lever (118, 218, 318 and 418) on said rod (116,216, 316 and 416) for said operational movement in response to the forcefrom an operator and for adjustment of said operational position of saidpedal lever (118, 218, 318 and 418) along said rod (116, 216, 316 and416), said assembly characterized by said rod (116, 216, 316 and 416)being arcuate for changing the angle of said longitudinal axis of saidpedal lever (118, 218, 318 and 418) relative to said support (112, 212,312 and 412) during said adjustment of said pedal lever (118, 218, 318and 418) along said rod (116, 216, 316 and 416).
 2. An assembly as setforth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism (122, 222, 322 and 422) includesa drive system for adjusting said operational position of said pedallever (118, 218, 318 and 418) along said rod (116, 216, 316 and 416). 3.An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drive system includes athreaded screw (124, 224 and 424) and a threaded nut (126, 226 and 426)threadedly engaging said screw (124, 224 and 424) and a power unit (128,228 and 428) for rotating said screw (124, 224 and 424) to move said nut(126, 226 and 426), said nut (126, 226 and 426) being connected to saidpedal lever (118, 218 and 418) for moving said pedal lever (118, 218 and418) along said rod (116, 216 and 416) in response to rotation of saidscrew (124, 224 and 424).
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3including a rotational connection (130, 230 and 430) between said nut(126, 226 and 426) and said pedal lever (118, 218 and 418) foraccommodating said changing angle of said longitudinal axis of saidpedal lever (118, 218 and 418) relative to said screw (124, 224 and 424)during said adjustment of said pedal lever (118, 218 and 418) along saidrod (116, 216 and 416).
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid screw (124, 224 and 424) is straight and including a lost motionconnection (131, 231 and 431) between said nut (126, 226 and 426) andsaid pedal lever (118, 218 and 418) for accommodating the change indistance between said screw (124, 224 and 424) and said rod (116, 216and 416) as said nut (126, 226 and 426) moves along said screw (124, 224and 424).
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a pivotalconnection (132 and 232) for pivotally connecting said support (112 and212) to a vehicle (114 and 214) so that said rod 116 and 216 pivotsabout said pivotal connection (132 and 232) during said operationalmovement in response to the force from an operator.
 7. An assembly asset forth in claim 2 wherein said drive system includes at least onegear (324) in meshing engagement with said rod (316) and a power unit(328) for rotating said gear (324) for moving said pedal lever (318)along said rod (316) in response to rotation of said gear (324).
 8. Anassembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rod (316) comprises aplate with top and bottom edges and rack teeth (326) disposed along atleast one of said edges and in said meshing engagement with said gear(324).
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a pivotalconnection (132, 232 and 332) for pivotally connecting said support(112, 212 and 312) to a vehicle (114, 214 and 314) so that said rod(116, 216 and 316) pivots about said pivotal connection (132, 232 and332) during said operational movement in response to the force from anoperator.
 10. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a pivotalconnection (432) for pivotally connecting said pedal lever (418) to saidmechanism (422) so that said pedal lever (418) pivots relative to saidrod (416) about said pivotal connection (432) during said operationalmovement in response to the force from an operator.
 11. An assembly asset forth in claim 10 including a signal generating device (433) forgenerating an electronic signal in response to said pedal lever (418)pivoting relative to said mechanism (422).